Corruption index hits six-year high

Jan 19. 2017

By The Nation

7,147 Viewed

Thailand’s Corruption Situation Index (CSI) last month reached its highest point in six years, while corruption has caused an average loss of 0.8 per cent of gross domestic product since military rule was established, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce’s Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting.

Thanawat Polvichai, the centre’s director, said December’s CSI reached 55, the highest in six years, reflecting a moderate level of corruption.

The UTCC claims signs of corruption began to ease in the latter half of 2014 after the military seized power in a coup and set up a junta-controlled government. Since then, annual losses attributed to corruption have averaged Bt120 billion or 0.8 per cent of GDP, he said.

Earlier, annual losses due to graft were about Bt300 billion to Bt400 billion, or 2.5 per cent of GDP, the centre claims.